Hilsenrath: An Unclear Path for Rate Hikes

Poor economic data for the first quarter of 2015 is casting more doubt on the possibility of an interest-rate increase. WSJ economics correspondent Jon Hilsenrath explains. Photo: AP

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

... the economy is slowing down and asking the Federal Reserve some pause ... the Commerce Department reported on Wednesday that the economy expanded at a measly zero point two percent annual rate in the first quarter though the worst performance since the first quarter of last year that a lot of different factors apply some of these are temporary ... it was bad weather in the Northeast ... points were shut down out west but there also some longer term effects that could well either that ... France is the dollar is done very strong and held out exports in the fourth quarter ... Fed officials also met on Wednesday and they came out of the meeting and said he expects the economy to pick up its growth rate ... later in the year ... that could give them an opportunity to start raising interest rates as they've been talking about for several months now ... but until there are really sure that the economy is back on a stronger growth track ... rates are going up ...